Method, system and apparatus using a sensory cue to indicate subsequent action characteristics for data communications

Abstract

A communications device provides a user with a sensory cue that informs the user of certain characteristics of a subsequent action that includes data communications. By informing the user of the data communication characteristics before the user initiates the data communication action, the invention appropriately sets user expectations regarding the data communication characteristics. For example, one embodiment of the invention is implemented in a portable communications device with a screen. For subsequent actions that include wireless communications, the portable communications device simultaneously displays a wireless link icon sensory cue next to a user interface graphic element. The user interface element is used to initiate the subsequent action. The user interface element can be an operating system object having an embedded link type icon. The wireless link icon informs the user that the subsequent action corresponding to the user interface element requires wireless communication and the expense and time associated therewith. A method, a system and an apparatus for indicating characteristics of a subsequent action to a user before the user begins the subsequent action are provided.

1. A communications device, comprising:
 a processor; and 
 processing resources operative by the processor to initiate a subsequent action having characteristics including wireless data communications performed by a client; and 
 processing resources operative by the processor to indicate to a user using a sensory cue the subsequent action characteristics prior to the user initiating the subsequent action, the sensory cue comprising an image, said sensory cue embedded into a user interface element when the subsequent action includes wireless data communications performed by the communications device and removed when the subsequent action does not include wireless data communications performed by the communications device. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the client transmits data from the communications device responsive to a user selection of the subsequent action. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the client transmits data from the communications device responsive to a user selection of the user interface element. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensory cue is adapted for perception by the user. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the subsequent action characteristics correspond to factors enabling the user to determine whether to initiate the subsequent action. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one sensory cue is provided for at least one subsequent action, each sensory cue corresponding to characteristics of the data communication including characteristics of a communication path used for the data communication, each sensory cue informs the user of the corresponding data communication characteristics. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the communications device includes a screen, and the image is displayed on the screen. 
     
     
       8. A communications system comprising:
 a source of data; 
 a communications device including a client and an operating system object including a user interface element for user selection of a subsequent action, the client including: 
 processing resources adapted to initiate the subsequent action having characteristics including wireless data communications performed by the client; 
 processing resources adapted to indicate by providing a sensory cue to a user the subsequent action characteristics prior to the user beginning the subsequent action when the subsequent action includes wireless data communication, wherein the sensory cue comprises an image, said sensory cue embedded into the user interface element when the subsequent action includes wireless data communications performed by the communications device and removed when the subsequent action does not include wireless data communications performed by the communications device; and 
 a server, in communication with the source of data and the client. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the client transmits data from the communications device responsive to a user selection of the subsequent action. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the client transmits data from the communications device responsive to a user selection of the user interface element. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the sensory cue is adapted for perception by the user. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the subsequent action characteristics correspond to factors enabling the user to determine whether to initiate the subsequent action. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 8 , wherein at least one sensory cue is provided for at least one subsequent action, each sensory cue corresponding to characteristics of the data communication including characteristics of a communication path used for the data communication, each sensory cue informs the user of the corresponding data communication characteristics. 
     
     
       14. A method, comprising:
 embedding a sensory cue into a user interface element displayed on a screen of a communications device when a subsequent action includes performing wireless data communications by the communications device; and 
 removing the sensory cue from the user interface element when the subsequent action does not include performing wireless data communications by the communications device. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sensory cue comprises an icon. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , comprising transmitting data from the communications device responsive to a user selection of the subsequent action. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , comprising transmitting data from the communications device responsive to a user selection of the user interface element. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , comprising adapting a sensory cue for perception by the user. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14 , wherein subsequent action characteristics for the subsequent action correspond to factors enabling the user to determine whether to initiate the subsequent action. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14 , comprising providing at least one sensory cue for at least one subsequent action, each sensory cue corresponding to characteristics of the data communication including characteristics of a communication path used for the data communication, each sensory cue informs the user of the corresponding data communication characteristics.